Race of Veteran Community78.3% non-Hispanic white6.4% Hispanic11.6% Black1.5% Asian, 0.7% American Indian or Alaska Native0.2% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander1.3% Other Race. Source: 2015 American Community Survey

Age9.3 millionThe number of veterans age 65 and older in 2015. At the other end of the age spectrum, 1.6 million were younger than age 35.Source: 2015 American Community Survey

When They Served6.8 millionThe number of Vietnam Era veterans in 2015. Moreover, there were 5.6 million who served during the Gulf War (representing service from August 1990 to present); 930,000 who served in World War II; 1.8 million who served in the Korean War; and 4.3 million who served in peacetime only.Source: 2015 American Community Survey

The number of living veterans in 2015 who served during three wartime periods:

61,997 served during the Vietnam Era and both periods of the Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001 and September 2001 or later).

29,331served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam Era.

The number of living veterans in 2015 who served during two wartime periods:

1,085,142served during both periods of the Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001 and September 2001 or later)

288,341 served during the Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001) and the Vietnam Era.

Where They LiveThere are 3 states with 1.0 million or more veterans in 2015. These states were California(1.6 million), Texas (1.5 million) and Florida (1.5 million).Source: 2015 American Community Survey

Education27.7%The percentage of veterans 25 years and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2015. In comparison, 30.8 percent of nonveterans had a bachelor’s degree or higher.Source: 2015 American Community Survey

Employment7.2 millionThe number of veterans 18 to 64 years old in the labor force in 2015. Of those veterans, 6.8 million were employed.Source: 2015 American Community Survey

Service-Connected Disabilities3.9 millionThe number of veterans with a service-connected disability rating in 2015. Of this number, 1.2 million had a rating of 70.0 percent or higher. A “service-connected” disability is one that was a result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. Severity of one’s disability is scaled from 0.0 to 100.0 percent, and eligibility for compensation depends on one’s rating.Source: 2015 American Community Survey

Business Owners405,235The number of all U.S. employer firms that are majority owned by veterans. Veteran-owned firms comprised 7.5 percent of the nation's 5.4 million employer businesses.Source: 2014 Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs